POS0298 THE INTERNATIONAL MAP OF AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS (IMAS). RESULTS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF 5,557 PATIENTS FROM 27 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
Authors: M. Garrido-Cumbrera, D. Poddubnyy, F. Sommerfleck, C. Bundy, S. Makri, J. Correa-Fernández, S. M. Akerkar, J. Lowe, E. Karam, L. Christen, V. Navarro-Compán
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> The International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) is a global assessment of the impact and burden of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) from the patient perspective, and identifying the unmet needs of axSpA patients through a survey. This research started in 2016 with the Atlas of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Spain, expanded in 2017-2018 to 13 European countries giving rise to the European Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (EMAS) and further expanding worldwide across 27 countries to become the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS). <h3>Objectives</h3> Here we present the scope of the study, distribution and main characteristics of patients included and instruments to collect data, as well as highlighting the impact of the disease. <h3>Methods</h3> This research is a collaboration between the Axial Spondyloarthritis International Federation (ASIF), the University of Seville and Novartis Pharma AG together with a scientific committee composed of axSpA patient representatives, rheumatologists, psychologists, and researchers. IMAS collected information through an online cross-sectional survey (2017-2022) from unselected axSpA patients from Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America and Africa. The inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 18 years, residents in the specified country, a diagnosis of axSpA (self-reported AS/nr-axSpA) and under the care of an health care professional. Patients completed a comprehensive questionnaire containing over 120 items on socio-demographics, health behaviours, diagnosis and disease characteristics, comorbidities, mental health (General Health Questionnaire- GHQ-12), healthcare resource utilization, pharmacological treatments, disease activity (BASDAI), physical activity and functioning, employment, and disease related fears and hopes. <h3>Results</h3> 5,557 axSpA patients participated in IMAS. The mean age was 43.9±12.8 years, 55.4% were women, 46.2% had university education and 48.5% were employed. 20.6% were on sick leave (temporary or permanent), 71.4% had difficulty finding job due to axSpA and 71.0% reported work-related issues. Patients' diagnostic delay was a mean of 7.4±9.0 years (median: 4.0), and the mean disease duration was 17.1±13.3 years. 75.0% of patients had active disease and 59.4% were at risk of poor mental health. In addition, patients had a mean of 2 physical comorbidities. On average, patients had visited primary care physicians 4.6 times and the rheumatologist 3.6 times in the year prior to the survey. 78.6% had ever taken NSAIDs, 43.6% csDMARDs and 48.8% bDMARDs. The greatest fear of these patients was disease progression (55.9%), while the greatest hope was to be able to relief pain (54.2%). <h3>Conclusion</h3> IMAS is the largest survey in geographical reach and this is the first-time global results are presented. IMAS has shown the global profile of axSpA patients, highlighting unmet needs, including unacceptable delays in diagnosis, and high burden of the disease in axSpA patients worldwide. This global dataset will enable more detailed investigations to obtain evidence on the critical issues that matter to patients around the world in order to improve their care and quality of life. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> This study was supported by Novartis Pharma AG. The authors would like to thank all patients who participated in the study. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> Marco Garrido-Cumbrera Grant/research support from: Novartis, Denis Poddubnyy Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Novartis, and Pfizer, Fernando Sommerfleck Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Consultant of: Abbvie, Novartis, Janssen, Christine Bundy Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, Souzi Makri Consultant of: Novartis, GSK and Bayer, José Correa-Fernández: None declared, SHASHANK MURLIDHAR AKERKAR Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Jansen, Jo Lowe Grant/research support from: No personal funding, but ASIF has received funding from Novartis, UCB, Lilly, Abbvie, Boehringer Ingleheim, Pfizer, Janssen, Elie Karam: None declared, Laura Christen Employee of: Novartis employment and stock ownership, Victoria Navarro-Compán Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, MoonLake, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Novartis.